Overland Expo.2010 Dates & Venue Announced

[BIGdaddy]

That's correct - a screaming deal! We had a lot of families last year - more than a dozen kids in all, including a couple little ones. I hire certified day care providers and comply with the state guidelines. You can check them in for just a few hours at a time - it's up to you. We just don't want kids in or around the vehicles in any driving classes.

wait a minute, so kids aren't allowed in any of the driving portions?



EDIT: I re-read your website. I'll admit it clearly states that. Not much family-time involved
when kids can't participate.

thanks, but no thanks.

I appreciate the answers to my questions.

 

[jammyauto]

I must say that when I went to Expo '09 I was really excited about attending the drivng courses. Once I got there and got involved I ended up not even going to one of the driving courses that I had signed up for but opted instead to go and see a movie and talk about a trip across africa. The best part of the event for me was meeting and talking to so many amazing people. My point is that for me Expo offered so much interesting stuff that the driving was low on my list. I'm not trying to disrespect the instructors of the driving events just saying that the driving portion of Expo about 10% or less of the Expo offerings. I'd still deffinatly attend Expo '10 even if there was no driving option at all. I can go play at the SVRA and/or take some off-road driving classes when ever. My .02

 

[1leglance]

I will agree that the driving part is only a bit of everything there is at this event, you have tons to learn in the classrooms, an insane amount of cool stuff to see, and the presentation/Q&A's are worth the adminssion with what you can learn.

I understand that someone would want their kids in their rig, but between safety and insurance cost I can also see why the event would say no.

Besides you can have your kids with you anytime you want to hit the trail. This is really a learning event, so sign up for classes, see the presentation and walk around with your kids looking at the cool rigs.

 

[Spur]

Last year was amazing. This year looks to be even better. I'm changing some travel plans around so that I can attend again this year. Registered!

 

[BIGdaddy]

I must say that when I went to Expo '09 I was really excited about attending the drivng courses. Once I got there and got involved I ended up not even going to one of the driving courses that I had signed up for but opted instead to go and see a movie and talk about a trip across africa. The best part of the event for me was meeting and talking to so many amazing people. My point is that for me Expo offered so much interesting stuff that the driving was low on my list. I'm not trying to disrespect the instructors of the driving events just saying that the driving portion of Expo about 10% or less of the Expo offerings. I'd still deffinatly attend Expo '10 even if there was no driving option at all. I can go play at the SVRA and/or take some off-road driving classes when ever. My .02

I'm assuming you're responding to my post, so I'll continue that assumtion
by saying thanks for posting that. I appreciate your perspective. I don't want to downplay the event by any means, I just thought that the driving events
would be the focus.

In shifting my paradigm a bit, I guess the expo could have as little or as much driving as I'd want. Again, thanks for explaining your experience...I'll
have to relay that to my wife, and see if that changes her/our opinion!

regards,
Brian

 

[jammyauto]

Brian, I was responing to your post (although I guess in a slightly indirect way). I'm sure everyone who attended took home different perspective but for me the the event was not so much about the drivng but more about people, trips, vehicles and equipment. Deffinatly a completly different experiance than say a typical off-road vehicle weekend event with lots of focus on off-raod driving.

 

[goodtimes]

Brian, my feelings parallel what Seth explained.

I can completely understand the desire to have your kids along too (of course, I haven't been cursed with any of the little wallet-draining noise boxes, so I can't have true empathy...). But if I was faced with your choice, I would still go. Take the kids. You could spend most of the day with them, only dropping them off at the child care facility for the duration of the driving class(es) you wanted to take. There will be other kids for them to play with, so it isn't like they would be sitting there all alone. The (non driving) classes and presentations are worth the cost of admission alone. Add in the social times in the morning and evening...your kids will have a great time.

Seriously. I would encourage you and your wife to reconsider.





*j/k about the wallet-draining noise boxes...I'm sure your kids are great.

 

[DesertRose]

Brian, I was responing to your post (although I guess in a slightly indirect way). I'm sure everyone who attended took home different perspective but for me the the event was not so much about the drivng but more about people, trips, vehicles and equipment. Deffinatly a completly different experiance than say a typical off-road vehicle weekend event with lots of focus on off-raod driving.

Well-put! Thank you. Yes, there will only be a few courses out where it involves your vehicle.

Anyone who wants to call me or email me directly (I don't visit the forums every day) I would be happy to talk about kids in vehicles during the actual classes that involve driving or recovery. I just don't want 1) little kids (toddlers especially) running around when someone is deploying winch gear, lines, etc., or backing up or learning how to handle a sandy obstacle . . . and 2) distracted parents wondering where their kids are! Also, really little kids should not be in the vehicles when we're practicing things like driving side slopes or sand maneuvering. One slip up and you roll . . . I don't think parents want that either.

SO - that said, the driving is such a small part of this.

It's about overlanding - the majority of the classes-- the VAST majority -- are intended to educate and inspire people to get out and explore. So many of the workshops (MOST) your kids (if they are not tiny and prone to disrupting) will be welcome to attend!!

Again, this is NOT about just 'wheeling.' It's about the whole experience and it is about inspiring and educating . . . about families for sure. Which is why kids are free and we provide FREE daycare.

 

[DesertRose]

I'm assuming you're responding to my post, so I'll continue that assumtion
by saying thanks for posting that. I appreciate your perspective. I don't want to downplay the event by any means, I just thought that the driving events
would be the focus.

In shifting my paradigm a bit, I guess the expo could have as little or as much driving as I'd want. Again, thanks for explaining your experience...I'll
have to relay that to my wife, and see if that changes her/our opinion!

regards,
Brian

Call me Brian - it's better to get the information directly, that way I can talk to both of you and explain what it's about. Although everybody here has done a great job and I really appreciate the excellent ambassadorship! My number and email are on the website too - 520-591-1410.

 

[roamingaz]

I have to admit last expo was pretty boring and I didn't bring my kids because I didn't think they would get to do anything but after being there I really enjoyed meeting new people and seeing all the cool trucks. I could have brought my kids along and they would have had a geat time.
I will be at the next expo and I am planning on bringing the whole family this time. It sounds like it will be a great time.....as long as theres no wind.

 

[RHINO]

(of course, I haven't been cursed with any of the little wallet-draining noise boxes, so I can't have true empathy...).

really? i thought you rode motorbikes, you just described one perfectly:victory:.

 

[Christian P.]

Roseann,

Congrats on the new location - I think that was our only little "complaint" about last year...

If I am back from the trip I would certainly attend - and share some good stories!!!

I have not been able to look at the list of seminars but one subject that we had mentionned that was lacking last year was something about budgeting for overland travels - expenses before, during and after - not sure if you were planning something...

bye

 

[goodtimes]

really? i thought you rode motorbikes, you just described one perfectly:victory:.

Well, I do have three of those in the garage. But that is why bikes are better than kids. You can leave them in the garage and don't have to worry about your neighbors calling the CPS folks.

Well, that and bikes usually only make noise when you want them to. :bike_rider:

 

[DesertRose]

Roseann,

Congrats on the new location - I think that was our only little "complaint" about last year...

If I am back from the trip I would certainly attend - and share some good stories!!!

I have not been able to look at the list of seminars but one subject that we had mentionned that was lacking last year was something about budgeting for overland travels - expenses before, during and after - not sure if you were planning something...

bye

Good luck on your journey!

Yes, you mentioned the budgeting idea and we are adding that workshop for sure.

If you are going to be back let me know and maybe you two can give a workshop. Contact me by email though, I could likely miss a post in the forums!

 

[elcoyote]

Four Wheeler coverage of OX10

Nice feature article on page 24 in the November 2009 4 wheeler by Chris Collard covering the OX10. Pick one up...check it out